After the Wiesn attack: the survivor finally receives compensation - the Free State has to pay him 8,000 euros
Created: 12/17/2021, 8:43 PM
From: Andreas Thieme
Robert Höckmayr survived the bomb attack - and is now suing the Free State © Photo: Marcus Schlaf
Robert Höckmayr (53) survived the bomb attack at the Munich Oktoberfest.
For decades he has been fighting for the recognition of his injuries - why he was finally right now.
In 1980, more than 200 people were injured and 13 killed in the bomb attack on the Wiesn.
Robert Höckmayr survived seriously injured, but still suffers from the serious consequences.
In 2015 he filed a lawsuit against the Free State - now he was finally able to prevail.
Munich - He survived the bomb on Theresienwiese in 1980, but the explosion at the main entrance to the Oktoberfest destroyed his life and his family. To this day, Robert Höckmayr (53) is badly marked, which is why he sued the Free State for financial compensation.
In the process at the Munich Social Court, there was finally an agreement on Friday: Höckmayr has fought for his victim compensation to be increased.
His degree of disability has now been upgraded from 50 to 60 percent - as a result of the bomb attack that destroyed his back and nerves.
To this day, Höckmayr suffers from back and hearing problems, tinnitus, broken nerves and the psychological consequences of the horror experience in which the then twelve-year-old lost two siblings when he was at the Oktoberfest with his whole family.
Two other siblings later committed suicide.
In 1980, 13 people died in the bomb attack at Munich's Oktoberfest.
© Frank Leonhardt / dpa
But Höckmayr remained strong and did not shy away from a six and a half year long legal dispute with the Free State, which he was able to settle on Friday with an out-of-court settlement.
In figures this means: The survivor receives 100 euros more basic pension from the Free State every month.
Because the judgment applies retrospectively until April 2015, Höckmayr will now be transferred around 8,000 euros.
Munich: Survivor fought for his rights for decades - now he was finally right
“I was always portrayed as a bad guy,” he says.
“But I am a victim and have lost my entire childhood.” He was never able to do sports.
It was only in 2008 that the Free State approved his pension under the Victims Compensation Act in the amount of around 300 euros.
That wasn't enough for Höckmayr - he complained.
With success: His post-traumatic stress effects have only now been properly recognized.
His lawyer Alexander Frey says: "This success in court can encourage other victims of the attack to enforce their claims."
Our Munich newsletter informs you regularly about all the important stories from the Isar metropolis.
Sign up here.